Four candidates seek three Wooster school board seats

Voters will have four choices for three spots on the Wooster City Schools Board of Education for the Nov. 4 Election.

However, ballots will have a fifth name listed, Gail Guzzo, who withdrew in September.

The four candidates still in the race are incumbent Jody Starcher, Clayton Deighan, Ted C. Hill and Bonnie Nair.

Here’s a quick look at why Starcher, Deighan, Hill and Nair are running and their top priorities for the board if elected:

Jody Starcher

To support her passion for serving youth and the community and use the skills she gathered through her education, corporate experience and other board involvement, Starcher ran for and was elected to the Wooster City Schools Board of Education in 2021 and said she believes over the past four years that she has proven her ability to make an impact and has found the work rewarding.

“As the only incumbent running, I bring critical knowledge of district policies, financials and governance — expertise that takes years to build,” said Starcher, who recently began a supply chain role with local company PRC-Saltillo after 25 years with the J.M. Smucker Co. “I’m ready to be effective immediately and would appreciate the opportunity to continue serving.”

Starcher said key issues ahead include addressing the district’s facilities plan while considering funding and the current property tax discussions, as well as maintaining focus on ensuring academic excellence, offering various curriculum options and maintaining a physically and mentally safe, supportive learning environment.

“My experience and commitment make me well-positioned to lead through these critical decisions and to continue advocating for the success of every student in our district,” she said.

Clayton Deighan

As an engineer with a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Ohio State, Deighan said he knows how to problem solve, think outside the box and come up with solutions — all valuable skills he said he can contribute to the board if elected.

Deighan said he also brings experience in negotiation/contract review with his business background.

“If elected, I support re-evaluating the current redistricting plan, moving the eighth-graders back to middle school and fifth-graders back to elementary,” Deighan said. “My focus on the board will start with solving our facilities needs with a plan that works for the students/staff/taxpayers long into the future. I will defend our public school funding. There are efforts underway to make changes to property taxes in Ohio, with little plan to replace the lost funding.”

The main reason Deighan said he is running for a seat on the Wooster City Schools Board of Education is because he believes “every child deserves a safe, high-quality education.”

Ted C. Hill

Because many residents he has talked to over the past three years want to see a change in school board culture, Ted C. Hill said he decided to run.

“The community wants to see that it is heard and that their concerns are taken seriously,” Hill said. “To foster this culture, I will represent community concerns on the board even if that results in me voting in dissent alone. I will cast these dissenting votes carefully but in good conscience. This will also build public trust."

Hill added that he believes the school board can’t serve the district’s children without public trust.

“I believe these things will build trust: voting on school levies only in November, respect for community feedback, schools that are fixed instead of just patched and a plan to provide property tax relief,” he said. “These are trust-building policies.”

Bonnie Nair

Being passionate about representing the community and wanting to ensure every voice is heard, Nair said she decided to run for the Wooster City Schools Board of Education.

“I believe we can enhance communication between the school board and the public,” Nair said. “As a vital link between the superintendent and the community, it is crucial for the school board to share information transparently and actively listen to feedback. We must meet the public where they are and understand their perspectives and reasoning. Through effective communication, we can develop solutions that satisfy everyone's needs.”

While times are tough, Nair said she is confident that with a dedicated team, the school board can honor the district’s past and provide its children with the future they deserve.

“I am eager to work for you, maintain an open mind and address the challenges our district faces,” she said.